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Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Boy Child Meets Build-A-Bear Workshop® For The First Time

I was invited to attend a Build-A-Bear Workshop®Zoorrific Moms’ Mixer at the Ross Park Mall location. Build-A-Bear Workshop® gave us $50 in bear bucks to buy our child a Limited Edition Zoorrific animal, one outfit and one sound! Anyone who knows me well understands that by nature I would automatically say no to this event for one reason and one reason only....I do not like to drive to places I've never been to, especially if it means getting close to using any of the Parkways or going near the City. However, since I've told myself that as of June this is the beginning of a new me and a new way of living, I accepted the invitation. Boy am I glad I did.

I didn't tell my son that we were going to Build-A-Bear Workshop®. If you are a follower of my other blog site then you know that Boy Child has some issues. One of them would be that if he knew we were going someplace special he would start to think about it - and think and think and think. Then the anxiety would set in. Then it would be non-stop obsession until his behavior would be out of control. So it was best he was unaware. When the day came, I simply told him that we had to go to a new mall today.

My Tom Tom got me to Ross Park Mall with no problems and I wasn't even sick to my stomach like I usually get when I am forced to venture away from my neck of the woods. I can tell you though that it was a good thing that I had planned on going early, because I had read the invitation wrong and would have missed the party entirely if I hadn't arrived when I did. Whew!

We were looking at the animals in the window of the store when I announced to Boy Child that this was where we were going. He looked up at me and said, "You mean I get to make my very own animal?" When I said yes he just hugged me tight and said, "Oh, mommy I love you!" Wow. I knew he'd be excited but I wasn't ready for that. I almost cried.

This is a great store. It is huge and very well stocked. The Party Room is so adorable. I now understand why my daughter loves these birthday parties so much.

The party hostess gave my son a name tag and we joined the other kids in our group. She had the kids sit down while she explained the party's events to them. She was very enthusiastic and great with the children. They were a bit overwhelmed a somewhat at the start.

We received our shopping bags and went hunting for our animal choice. Boy Child had some difficulty committing to just one animal - they were all too awesome. We typically have to feel everything and choose which one is just right for him due to some sensory processing issues. We went from Panda to Tiger to Monkey to Panda then with some prompting from Diva he ended up with a Zoorrific monkey. No surprise she was wanting him to choose that because she is on the Build-A-Bearville® website almost everyday with her friends and really wanted a Zoorrific animal to play with on-line. Apparently, they come with a very cool ride and once you have a Zoorrific animal you can then enter the zoo. These things are huge to they who play on this website - so I'm told by Diva. By the way, did I mention she was almost 11? So this site is something your kids will enjoy for years. Boy Child has tried to enjoy the site but it requires a bit too much reading and typing for his ADHD just yet. But he watches his sister play on it and enjoys that very much.

Next came the clothes. Wow, the clothes and accessories! There are so many different outfits to choose from. You can mix and match or you can choose a preset ensemble. There were skateboards, shoes, underwear, hula outfits and other cool accessories. You name it. There were even Pittsburgh Steelers outfits with hats that lit up! He decided on Toy Story. Boy Child watches that movie an awful lot and the Woody outfit was perfect. He also chose a banana for the monkey which fit perfectly into the holster! My son was amazed that you could actually put sound into your animals as well. They both had to try them all out - there was even iCarly and Jonas Brotherssongs. He decided that the traditional monkey sound was the best choice. I had to agree.

If you were to ask my son what his favorite part of the whole building process would be, he would tell you it is the "stuffing" phase. He said that is because once they are stuffed you get to cuddle them. This is also the hardest part for the kids to endure. Waiting their turn at the stuffing machine. It was really cool - although a bit loud for my son's ears. It didn't stop him though, he loved pushing that pedal and being in charge of that fluff going into his animal. The party hostess kept the kids amused with a game of hot potato to see who would be next to stuff their animal.

The kids had to make a wish and place a red heart into their animals too. That was very cute to watch. Once all the kids had their animals stuffed and they were all sewn up in the back, it was off to the bath table. This is where the kids could give their new animals a good combing to get them all fluffy and soft. My son was very thorough with this step.

Have you ever seen a bigger smile? On the kid, not the monkey. Although, the smile on the monkey is very cute too.

We were almost done now - the next step is to generate your animal's birth certificate. You need to give 'em a name! Another fun step - since you get to type it all into the computer and then print it out yourself! My Boy Child is a nut for computers. So once again, he was not disappointed with Build-A-Bear Workshop®!

Before you can take your new friend home you must pledge to care for your animal so they had the kids raise their hands and repeat the pledge.

I know this is a long post, but I didn't want to miss a single thing. My son had the time of his life. He was so excited to be there and he enjoyed every step of the building process. I was very impressed with how wonderful the staff were with the children and also with the cost. We were able to get everything my son wanted. Really, I didn't have to say no to him for anything that he asked in order to build the perfect Build-A-Bear Workshop® Limited Edition Zoorrific animal and stayed under the $50.

I even let Diva purchase a couple accessories for the bears she already owns. Yep, she was loving it! Even the clothing you buy you enter the codes online and your animals can wear them there.

Now comes another really fun thing. The wonderful folks at Build-A-Bear Workshop® has graciously given me the opportunity to give away a $25 Build-A-Bear Workshop® Gift Card! Your child will love you for it. If you don't have a child of your own, then this will make a great present for a birthday, holiday or special event. Trust me.

I am so glad I accepted this invitation. My son saw me writing this post and said he had the best time there and wanted to know when can we go back to get his monkey a friend!

Leave me a comment with your valid email address and which animal you might choose from the Build-A-Bear Workshop® - sorry this contest is only for US residents only (no PO Boxes). I will randomly choose a comment and contact the winner via email. The winner must reply within 48 hours or I will choose another. The deadline to enter will be Friday, July 9, 2010 at 10:00pm EST.

If I were to win in this giveaway, I think I would choose the owl if it's still available or if not, then I would choose the White House dog because either way, a portion of the funds goes toward a good cause to protect and to help animals.

OMG! Toooo cute.. Monkey see monkey do or is that curious George I see. Looks like the monkey already has a friend he is sharing his banana..I would say that any animal from the BAB would be great. What's not to love about cute,soft and lovable.